SV1000 owners

[Sid Squid]

SV1000 suspension is good quality, although it's quite fair to say that the standard settings are often considered a bit odd, (which doesn't mean anyone can improve on it, more on that below), the forks particularly are very good, and a GSXR front end swap on an SV1000 is a waste of time and money.
The 650 is a brilliant bike - on paper it doesn't stand out, but even a brief ride makes it clear that it's one of those happy devices that is definately more than the sum of its parts, but the reality is that the SV1000 is better at everything*, although there are some out there that handle less than ideally on account of the owner having taken advantage of the adjustability available, (although that's no more common than with any other modern motorcycle).
It must be bourne in mind that an SV1000 is most definately not a big SV650, they share styling and nothing else, very few parts are the same and what is the same is incidental only. And I can't really entertain criticism of a bigger bike for being a bigger bike, is an RS250 'better' than an SV650 'cos it's lighter?

*With the obvious exception of cost - do you need the capability of a 1000cc bike? Perhaps the 650 suits your usage well enough.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

The 650 is a brilliant bike - on paper it doesn't stand out, but even a brief ride makes it clear that it's one of those happy devices that is definately more than the sum of its parts, but the reality is that the SV1000 is better at everything*,

*With the obvious exception of cost - do you need the capability of a 1000cc bike? Perhaps the 650 suits your usage well enough.

I think you're correct, the idea came about as I wanted a relatively cheap bike to commute on and play around with, something nice and simple and nimble in traffic, the 650 fits this bill, I know from past experience, perhaps the 1000 doesn't so well.
I any case I already have a 1000cc bike for when I need that capability.

i currently have a K5 SV1K.
I have in the past had a curvy 650.
The 1K is miles ahead of the 650 in all aspects (except fuel consumption).
How anyone can say it is heavy and wooden is beyond me- it only weighs 189KG.
I have done the usual mods including GSXR1000 rear shock.
I usualy get 100 miles before the fuel light comes on.
I ride 2 up most times so find the extra power very usefull.

I would recommend the thou to anyone

here is one to throw in the mix - i had a firestorm before the SV and found it to be good.
The insurance is far cheaper than the SV.
It is a good alrounder - but the fuel consumption is worse than the SV.
just a thought.

[Ratty]

Hi Matt

I had an 650SK3 from new for over 3 years and really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to go back to fours and decided to try the 1000 as a way to get more of the same. I believe that is exactly what I got. Maybe I have got very used to the thou but I don’t think the handling is heavy and slow. It does need more input but I believe that makes the ride more involving. The suspension is much better when you have dialled it into your weight and style and as already mentioned, the brakes are much better. It’s more solid in corners but still will change direction easily.

I’ve done four track days on mine and it holds it’s own fine in inters, feeling safe and predictable but you will get through a tank of fuel in three sessions. Economy is fine on the road and if your worried about the difference between it and a 650, don’t bother or buy a CG125. I also find the seat much comfier although it’s supposed to be the same ?

Try one first but ensure the suspension settings are set to factory because they can be seriously screwed, as mine were when I bought it.

I use Michelin PP 2CT and think they are ace. Very grippy on track, just feeling a little ‘cold’ in town on cold days, but I’ve had no big scares.

Go for a K5 or later because a series of improvements to intake, ECU and compression gave better power and smoother delivery.
There is a green connecter under the air box which is known to burn out giving a total power loss and is well documented on the SV1000 forum. Some people think it’s caused by higher mileage bikes with worn ignition switches inducing higher current through the circuit through arching and burning out the weak connecter..

Like I said earlier, try one, but don’t be put off by people who have only ridden their mates badly set up one around the block. I persevered with mine and now love the way it rides and steers.
Some pics



Hope this helps.

Ok, awesome stuff! this has given me alot of good information. Its easy to get good info on the 650 on here, but a bit harder to find good info on the thou'. I'm glad this thread has been able to generate a complilation of owner's opinons and knowledge.

Squid....na, i dont need one, TBH for day-to-day duties, i'm probably better off on a big scooter BUT i do want one...because its big and its loud and its fast. I think thats a good reason

Chances are, i wont be able to afford the insurance and will just end up getting a K5 650 or something. But i will consider it and try and get a ride on one. A thou' would be better for two-up riding with luggage, and better on the longer journeys that i frequently make between london and brighton

Matt

[Bibio]

have been thinking about this one myself.. in my case i reckon i could swap all the goodies from mine onto the 1000 and get it about the same hight/seating position as the 650. will have to wait till next year though. the extra power would be nice on longer runs.

Originally Posted by Ratty

Hi Matt

I had an 650SK3 from new for over 3 years and really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to go back to fours and decided to try the 1000 as a way to get more of the same. I believe that is exactly what I got. Maybe I have got very used to the thou but I don’t think the handling is heavy and slow. It does need more input but I believe that makes the ride more involving. The suspension is much better when you have dialled it into your weight and style and as already mentioned, the brakes are much better. It’s more solid in corners but still will change direction easily.

Nice looking bike that Ratty, looks like a GSXR but isn't! In my view it better for having fewer cylinders, is that a standard paint job or have you had it done?
How does the thou compare for insurance, I'm not a spotty youth anymore and have a clean licence (fingers crossed)?
Thanks for your write-up.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

BUT i do want one...because its big and its loud and its fast. I think thats a good reason

Matt

Loud, yes, but the static noise test at brands had my curvy SV650S with slip-on can @ 106dB, and Toad's K5 SV1000 with twin scorpion cans @ 105dB. So don't expect a massive step up in the shouty department.

Jambo

Originally Posted by stevebetts

i currently have a K5 SV1K.
I have in the past had a curvy 650.
The 1K is miles ahead of the 650 in all aspects (except fuel consumption).
How anyone can say it is heavy and wooden is beyond me- it only weighs 189KG.
I have done the usual mods including GSXR1000 rear shock.
I usualy get 100 miles before the fuel light comes on.
I ride 2 up most times so find the extra power very usefull.

I would recommend the thou to anyone

here is one to throw in the mix - i had a firestorm before the SV and found it to be good.
The insurance is far cheaper than the SV.
It is a good alrounder - but the fuel consumption is worse than the SV.
just a thought.

Temporary thread hijack (sorry Matt). Steve- I'm seriously considering a Firestorm for my next bike (in about 12-18 monts time)- post 2001 as it's got a bigger tank.

Do you know if the cam chain tensioner and water pump problems were ironed out in the later models?

Also, in comparison to the SV Thou-

How much more thirsty is the Firestorm in normal commuting (I do 10 miles each way- some in local traffic some on the A3- essentially motorway riding)?

Also, how is the power delivery- I've read that the Firestorm tails off at higher revs, but what's the SV thou like?

Cheers!

D

I'll just mention something about the cluth on K3-4 models. Sometimes the clutch slave cylinder will leak, and is due to dirt and general crap getting to the fliud seal and deteriorating it fast. I had my K3 for about 2 months before this developed for the first time, so I took it back to the dealers and they replaced it under warranty. Two months later, the same thing happened again, so back I went. They told me there was scoring on the cylinder causing the fliud leak and they wouldn't replace it under warranty. So I sodded them off and fitted a dust seal from the K5+ model, which I found out was retro fitted under warranty. Since then I haven't had a single problem, and that is since September.

It also stood up to the winter quite well, and it also crashes really well too! The bar ends and exhaust seem to take all the brunt, which means that crash bungs aren't as neccessary.